Systems and methods to produce liquid water extracted from air

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to techniques for producing liquid water from ambient air. In certain embodiments, a system includes a regeneration fluid pathway configured to receive a regeneration fluid and a thermal unit configured to heat the regeneration fluid. The system can further include a continuous desiccant unit that comprises an adsorption zone and a desorption zone, as well as a batch desiccant unit that includes a regeneration inlet and a batch desiccant housing. The batch desiccant housing can include a batch desiccant inlet configured to input the ambient air, a batch desiccant outlet configured to output a batch output fluid, and a batch desiccant material. A condenser unit can be configured to produce liquid water from the regeneration fluid, and the system can maximize a water production rate of the condenser unit based on an amount of heat carried by the regeneration fluid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national phase filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371of PCT/US2018/049398 filed on Sep. 4, 2018 entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODSTO PRODUCE LIQUID WATER EXTRACTED FROM AIR,” which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/554,231 filed on Sep. 5,2017, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to techniques for producing liquidwater from ambient air.

BACKGROUND

Producing liquid water by extracting water vapor from ambient air oratmospheric air can present various challenges. Certain challengesinclude those associated with maximizing a water production rate and/orefficiency at a low cost and high reliability. There exists a need forimproved systems and methods for producing liquid water from ambient airor atmospheric air using an inexpensive and reliable approach thatmaximizes the water production rate and/or efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the followingdrawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a system to extract water from air, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a system to extract water from air, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a system to extract water from air, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a system to extract water from air, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 5 depicts a system to extract water from air, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 6 depicts a batch desiccant unit, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 depicts a batch desiccant unit, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 depicts a system to extract water from air, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 9 depicts a system to extract water from air, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 10 depicts a method to extract water from air, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 11 depicts a method to extract water from air, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates a front elevational view of an exemplary computersystem that is suitable to implement at least part of the techniques,methods, and systems described herein; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a representative block diagram of exemplary elementsincluded on the circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer systemof FIG. 12.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques can be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements in the figures can be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present invention. Identical reference numbers do not necessarilyindicate an identical structure.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but caninclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capableof operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwisedescribed herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements or signals, electrically, mechanically and/or otherwise. Two ormore electrical elements can be electrically coupled together, but notbe mechanically or otherwise coupled together; two or more mechanicalelements can be mechanically coupled together, but not be electricallyor otherwise coupled together; two or more electrical elements can bemechanically coupled together, but not be electrically or otherwisecoupled together. Coupling can be for any length of time, e.g.,permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.

“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood andinclude coupling involving any electrical signal, whether a powersignal, a data signal, and/or other types or combinations of electricalsignals. “Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understoodand include mechanical coupling of all types.

The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near theword “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. inquestion is or is not removable.

As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean withinplus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments,“approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the statedvalue. In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus orminus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments,“approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the statedvalue.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with certain embodiments, a system is disclosed forextracting water from ambient air, the system comprising: a regenerationfluid pathway configured to receive a regeneration fluid; a thermal unitconfigured to receive the regeneration fluid from the regeneration fluidpathway and to heat the regeneration fluid to a first temperature whenthe regeneration fluid is received in the thermal unit; and a firstcontinuous desiccant unit comprising: an adsorption zone configured toreceive the ambient air, the ambient air being at an ambienttemperature; and a desorption zone configured to receive theregeneration fluid from the regeneration fluid pathway. The systemfurther includes a first batch desiccant unit comprising: a regenerationinlet configured to receive at least a first portion of the regenerationfluid from the regeneration fluid pathway at a second temperature andduring a first release time, the second temperature being lower than thefirst temperature; and a batch desiccant housing defining a batchdesiccant volume, the batch desiccant housing comprising: a batchdesiccant inlet configured to input the ambient air to the batchdesiccant volume during a first load time; a batch desiccant outletconfigured to output a batch output fluid from the batch desiccantvolume to a batch output fluid conduit during the first release time;and a batch desiccant material retained within the batch desiccantvolume. The system further comprises a first condenser unit configuredto produce liquid water from the regeneration fluid, wherein the systemis configured to maximize a water production rate of the first condenserunit based on an amount of heat carried by the regeneration fluid in theregeneration pathway.

In accordance with certain embodiments, a system is disclosed that isoperable to extract water from ambient air. The system comprises: aregeneration fluid pathway configured to receive a regeneration fluid; athermal unit configured to receive the regeneration fluid from theregeneration fluid pathway and to heat the regeneration fluid when theregeneration fluid is received in the thermal unit; and a continuousdesiccant unit comprising: an adsorption zone configured to receive theambient air, the ambient air being at an ambient temperature; and adesorption zone configured to receive the regeneration fluid from theregeneration fluid pathway. The system further comprises multiple batchdesiccant units, wherein each of the multiple batch desiccant unitsincludes: a regeneration inlet configured to receive at least a portionof the regeneration fluid from the regeneration fluid pathway during abatch release time; and a batch desiccant housing defining a batchdesiccant volume, the batch desiccant housing comprising: a batchdesiccant inlet configured to input the ambient air to the batchdesiccant volume during a batch load time; a batch desiccant outletconfigured to output a batch output fluid from the batch desiccantvolume to a batch output fluid conduit during the batch release time;and a batch desiccant material retained within the batch desiccantvolume. The system further comprises a first condenser unit configuredto produce liquid water from the regeneration fluid and the batch outputfluid, wherein: the system is configured to maximize a water productionrate of the first condenser unit by varying the batch load time andbatch release time of the multiple batch desiccant units.

In accordance with certain embodiments, a method is disclosed forextracting water from ambient air comprising: heating, by a thermalunit, a regeneration fluid; moving a zone of a continuous desiccant unitbetween the ambient air and the regeneration fluid; inputting theambient air to a first batch desiccant unit during a first batch loadtime; inputting at least a first portion of the regeneration fluid tothe first batch desiccant unit during a first batch release time;outputting a first batch output fluid from the first batch desiccantunit to a first batch output fluid conduit during the first batchrelease time; condensing, by at least one condenser unit, water vaporfrom the regeneration fluid and the first batch output fluid conduit toproduce liquid water from the regeneration fluid; and maximizing aliquid water production rate of the at least one condenser unit.

Producing liquid water by extracting water vapor from ambient air can bechallenging in terms of maximizing water production rate and/orefficiency at a low cost and high reliability. As a result, there existsa need for improved systems and methods to produce liquid water byextracting water vapor extracted from ambient air. In particular, thethermal performance including the thermal coefficient of performance(COP) of desiccant-based water from air systems and methods can beimproved by integrating the complementary thermodynamics of continuousdesiccant units (e.g. rotary desiccants) and batch desiccant units. Asdescribed in more detail below, improved systems and methods formaximizing liquid water production from desiccant-based systems can beimplemented by making use of low grade thermal energy for highlyefficient water production. At any one operating point in a diurnal orthermal cycle, the highest grade heat for regenerating desiccantmaterial can be utilized to produce a maximum amount of liquid waterwhen extracting water vapor from ambient air.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 to extract water from air, according to anembodiment. In many embodiments, system 100 can comprise a watergeneration system or a water extraction system. In some embodiments,system 100 can be configured to function responsively to one or morediurnal variations (e.g., variations in ambient air temperature,variations in ambient air relative humidity, variations in solarinsolation, and/or the like). For example, as described in more detailbelow, system 100 can be configured to control one or more operationalparameters (e.g., control and/or controlled variables) based on one ormore diurnal variations.

In many embodiments, system 100 can comprise a continuous desiccant unit110. Continuous desiccant unit 110 can comprise a desiccant 118. In someembodiments, desiccant 118 can comprise a sorption medium. In someembodiments, part or all of desiccant 118 can be selectively (e.g.,and/or alternatively) movable between an adsorption zone 112, in whichdesiccant 118 is in fluid communication with a process air pathway 126(e.g., a process airflow path for inputting ambient air at 126 a andoutputting ambient air at 126 b) and a desorption zone 114, in whichdesiccant 118 is in fluid communication with a regeneration fluid in aregeneration fluid pathway 134. In some embodiments, regeneration fluidpathway 134 can comprise one or more conduits forming a closed-loop,such as, for example, with one or more other elements of system 100. Forexample, regeneration fluid pathway 134 can provide closed-loop flow ofthe regeneration fluid. In some embodiments, desiccant unit 110 cancomprise a desiccant unit housing 115. Further, desiccant unit housing115 can define adsorption zone 112 and desorption zone 114.

Continuous desiccant unit 110 can operate in a continuous, or non-batch,fashion, such that continuous desiccant unit 110 is configured to absorbwater and desorb water substantially simultaneously or simultaneously.For example, system 100 can be configured such that a first portion ofdesiccant 118 can be disposed within adsorption zone 112 (e.g., suchthat the first portion of desiccant 118 can capture water from processair in process air pathway 126) and a second portion of desiccant 118can be disposed (e.g., simultaneously disposed) within desorption zone114 (e.g., such that the second portion can desorb water intoregeneration fluid in regeneration fluid pathway 134). In someembodiments, exemplary regeneration fluids can include, but are notlimited to, air (e.g., including any suitable amount of water vapor),super-saturated or high relative humidity gas (e.g., 90-100% relativehumidity) and/or the like.

Continuous desiccant unit 110 can comprise a rotatable desiccant disk111. In some embodiments, desiccant 118 can be disposed on rotatabledesiccant disk 111. Further, part or all of desiccant 118 can beconfigured to move between adsorption zone 112 and desorption zone 114as rotatable desiccant disk 111 is rotated. For example, a first portionof desiccant 118 can be in communication with process air pathway 126(e.g., at adsorpotion zone 112), and a second portion of desiccant 118can be in communication with regeneration fluid pathway 134 (e.g., atdesorption zone 114). System 100 can comprise an actuator 116 configuredto cause rotation of rotatable desiccant disk 111. For example, actuator116 can comprise an electric motor. Further system 100 can comprise acontroller 150. Controller 150 can be configured to optimize liquidwater production of system 100 at least by controlling movement (e.g.,through control of actuator 116) of desiccant 118 (e.g., on rotatabledesiccant disk 111) between adsorption zone 112 and desorption zone 114.In other embodiments, actuator 116 can rotate one or more portions ofcontinuous desiccant unit 110 (e.g. rotatable desiccant disk 111) at apredetermined rotation rate. In some embodiments, controller 150 can besimilar or identical to computer system 1200 (FIG. 12).

In some embodiments, desiccant 118 can be capable of quickly desorbingwater back into low relative humidity air (e.g., to regenerate desiccant118). For example, in some embodiments, desiccant 118 can comprise ahygroscopic material. Therefore, in some embodiments, a performance ofdesiccant 118 can be driven by an ability to quickly cycle through anabsorption state and a desorption state.

System 100 further can comprise a batch desiccant unit 160. Batchdesiccant unit 160 can comprise a batch desiccant housing 162 defining abatch desiccant volume 164. Batch desiccant unit 160 can comprise adesiccant 168. Desiccant 168 can comprise a sorption medium. In someembodiments, desiccant 168 can be referred to as a batch or bulkdesiccant material. In many embodiments, desiccant 168 can be retainedwithin the batch desiccant volume 164. For example, desiccant particlescan be packed in batch desiccant volume 164 to maximize a surface areafor interaction with air or other fluid. In some embodiments, thedesiccant particles can be agglomerated via a binder. In someembodiments, the desiccant particles can be dyed black (e.g., to improveabsorption of thermal radiation). In some embodiments, the desiccantparticles can be mixed and/or combined with thermal radiation absorbingmaterials.

Batch desiccant housing 162 can comprise a batch desiccant inlet 172.Batch desiccant inlet 172 can input ambient air to batch desiccantvolume 164 (e.g. process air from a process air pathway 173). Asdescribed in more detail below, batch desiccant inlet 172 can inputambient air to the batch desiccant volume 164 during a batch load time.For example, batch desiccant inlet 172 can comprise one or more flowmanagement devices (e.g., a valve) configured such that ambient airenters batch desiccant volume 164 during a batch load time and is sealedor otherwise closed at times other than the batch load time. In someembodiments, the flow management device(s) can be controlled bycontroller 150. In FIG. 1, process air pathway 126 and process airpathway 173 are depicted separately, however in other embodiments, oneor more continuous desiccant units and one or more batch desiccant unitscan share process air pathway 126 or process air pathway 173. In some ofthese embodiments, one of process air pathway 126 and process airpathway 173 can be omitted.

Batch desiccant housing 162 further can comprise a batch desiccantoutlet 174 for outputting a batch output fluid comprising water vaporfrom batch desiccant volume 164 to a batch output conduit 178. Asdescribed in more detail below, the batch desiccant outlet 174 can beconfigured to output batch output fluid from the batch desiccant volume164 to batch output conduit 178 during a batch release time. Forexample, batch desiccant outlet 174 can comprise one or more flowmanagement devices (e.g., a valve) configured such that batch outputfluid leaves or evacuates from batch desiccant volume 164 during a batchrelease time and is sealed or otherwise closed at times other than thebatch release time. In some embodiments, the flow management device(s)can be controlled by controller 150.

Batch desiccant unit 160 can comprise a regeneration inlet 161configured to input at least a portion of the regeneration fluid fromthe regeneration fluid pathway 134 to batch desiccant unit 160. Batchdesiccant unit 160 can further comprise a regeneration outlet 163 foroutputting at least a portion of the regeneration fluid from batchdesiccant unit 160 to the regeneration fluid pathway 134. As describedin more detail below, the regeneration fluid can enter batch desiccantunit 160 via regeneration inlet 161 during a batch release time. Asdescribed in more detail below, regeneration inlet 161 can be configuredto permit at least a portion of regeneration fluid into batch desiccantunit 160 so as to heat batch desiccant unit 160 during a batch releasetime. Meanwhile, regeneration outlet 163 can be configured to permit theregeneration fluid input to batch desiccant unit 160 to be output toregeneration fluid pathway 134 during the batch release time. Forexample, regeneration inlet 161 can comprise one or more flow managementdevices (e.g., a valve) configured such that regeneration fluid entersbatch desiccant unit 160 during a batch release time and is sealed orotherwise redirected at times other than the batch release time.Further, regeneration outlet 163 can comprise one or more flowmanagement devices (e.g., a valve) configured such that regenerationfluid is output from batch desiccant unit 160 during the batch releasetime and is sealed or otherwise redirected at times other than the batchrelease time.

In many embodiments, system 100 can be configured such that theregeneration fluid (e.g. in regeneration fluid pathway at 134′) entersbatch desiccant unit 160 at a batch inlet temperature that is lower thana temperature of the regeneration fluid at other locations along theregeneration fluid pathway 134 except at locations subsequent to batchdesiccant unit 160 (e.g., in regeneration fluid pathway at 134″). Inthese or other embodiments, the batch inlet temperature and thetemperature of the regeneration fluid at other locations alongregeneration fluid pathway 134, including at locations subsequent tobatch desiccant unit 160 (e.g., in regeneration fluid pathway 134″), canbe greater than the ambient temperature. In further embodiments, thetemperature of the regeneration fluid entering regeneration inlet 161can be less than 30 degrees Celsius (° C.) above the ambienttemperature. In further embodiments, the regeneration fluid entering theregeneration inlet 161 of batch desiccant unit 160 can have a heat flowless than 500 Watts (W) (e.g. regeneration fluid flowing at 40 cubicfeet per minute and 20 degrees Celsius above ambient temperature cantranslate to approximately 400 Watts carried by the regeneration fluidflowing in the regeneration fluid pathway).

Desiccant 118 can comprise any suitable medium in any suitableconfiguration (e.g., such that desiccant 118 is capable of adsorptionand desorption of water). In some embodiments, desiccant 118 can becapable of sorption at a first temperature and/or pressure anddesorption at a second temperature and/or pressure. Suitable mediums fordesiccant 118 can comprise liquids, solids, and/or combinations thereof.In some embodiments, desiccants or sorption mediums can comprise anysuitable porous solid impregnated with hygroscopic materials. Forexample, desiccant 118 can comprise silica, silica gel, alumina, aluminagel, montmorillonite clay, zeolites, molecular sieves, activated carbon,metal oxides, lithium salts, calcium salts, potassium salts, sodiumsalts, magnesium salts, phosphoric salts, organic salts, metal salts,glycerin, glycols, hydrophilic polymers, polyols, polypropylene fibers,cellulosic fibers, derivatives thereof, and combinations of thereof. Insome embodiments, desiccant 118 can be selected and/or configured toavoid sorption of certain molecules (e.g., molecules that can bedangerous or toxic when consumed by a human).

In many embodiments, desiccant 168 can be similar or identical todesiccant 118. In some embodiments, desiccant 118 and desiccant 168 canbe selected to have one or more differing properties. For example,desiccant 118 can have a lower density than desiccant 168.

System 100 can include blowers 142 and/or a circulator 146. For example,in this embodiment, blowers 142 can be disposed in process air pathway126 and process air pathway 173 and can be configured to adjust a flowrate of ambient air through the process air pathway. In someembodiments, as shown at FIG. 1, continuous desiccant unit 110 and batchdesiccant unit 160 each can have a distinct process air pathway (e.g.,process air pathway 126 and process air pathway 173, respectively).However, in other embodiments, one or more continuous desiccant unitsand one or more batch desiccant units can share one of process airpathway 126 or process air pathway 173. In these embodiments, one ofprocess air pathway 126 and process air pathway 173 can be omitted.Further, in these embodiments, one of blowers 142 can be omitted.

In some embodiments, circulator 146 can be disposed in regenerationfluid pathway 134 and can be configured to adjust a flow rate ofregeneration fluid through regeneration fluid pathway 134. In someembodiments, blowers 142 and/or circulator 146 can be controlled bycontroller 150, such as, for example, to optimize liquid waterproduction of system 100. For example, controller 150 can control speedsof blowers 142 and/or circulator 146. In some embodiments, controller150 and blowers 142 can be configured to substantially maintainpredetermined flow rates through process air pathway 126 and process airpathway 173. In some embodiments, controller 150 and blowers 142 can beconfigured to substantially maintain a predetermined flow rate throughregeneration fluid pathway 134. In some embodiments, the predeterminedflow rates through two or more of process air pathway 126, process airpathway 173, and/or regeneration fluid pathway 134 can be similar or thesame.

System 100 can comprise a thermal unit 154 configured to provide thermalenergy to fluid in regeneration fluid pathway 134 (e.g., such thatdesiccant 118 and/or desiccant 168 can be regenerated or releasecaptured water). In some embodiments, thermal unit 154 can be a solarthermal unit. For example, thermal unit 154 can be configured to convertsolar insolation to thermal energy. While thermal unit 154 can compriseany suitable thermal unit, whether solar or otherwise, in manyembodiments, thermal unit 154 can be implemented with a thermal unit asdescribed in International (PCT) Application No. PCT/US2015/061921,filed Nov. 20, 2015, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/482,104, filedApr. 7, 2017, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/600,046, filedMay 19, 2017, which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

System 100 can comprise a condenser unit 180 configured to receiveregeneration fluid via regeneration fluid pathway 134 and produce liquidwater from the received regeneration fluid (e.g., by condensing watervapor in regeneration fluid in regeneration fluid pathway 134). In someembodiments, condenser unit 180 can receive batch output fluid via batchoutput conduit 178 and produce liquid water from the received batchoutput fluid (e.g., by condensing water vapor in batch output fluid inbatch output conduit 178). For example, batch output fluid exiting thebatch desiccant outlet 174 of the batch desiccant volume 164 can bedirected to condenser unit 180, such as depicted in FIG. 1. As describedin more detail below, batch output fluid in the batch output conduit 178can enter the condenser unit 180 during a batch release time so as toproduce liquid water from the batch output fluid via the batch outputfluid conduit 178.

As depicted in FIG. 1, system 100 comprises a single condenser unit 180to condense both water vapor in regeneration fluid received fromregeneration fluid pathway 134 and from continuous desiccant unit 110and water vapor in batch output fluid received from batch output conduit178 and from batch desiccant unit 160. However, in other embodiments, aplurality of condenser units can be provided such that one or morecontinuous desiccant units and one or more batch desiccant units can beassociated with a distinct condenser unit. For example, in someembodiments, a first condenser unit can produce liquid water from acontinuous desiccant unit and a second condenser unit can produce liquidwater from a batch desiccant unit.

A condenser or condenser unit can comprise any suitable material and canbe of any suitable configuration (e.g., to condense water vapor inregeneration fluid into liquid water and/or condense water vapor inbatch output conduit into liquid water). For example, suitablecondensers can comprise polymers, metals, and/or the like. Condenserscan be arranged to include coils, fins, plates, tortuous passages,and/or the like. Condenser unit 180 can be configured to transferthermal energy from fluid in regeneration fluid pathway 134 downstreamof desiccant 118 to air in process air pathway 126 and/or process airpathway 173 upstream of desiccant 118 (e.g., such that air in processair pathway 126 and/or process air pathway 173 can facilitate cooling ofcondenser 180). In some embodiments, condenser unit 180 can be cooled byambient air.

System 100 can comprise a water collection unit 184 configured toreceive liquid water produced by condenser 180. Liquid water produced bythe condenser unit 180 can be provided to water collection unit 184 byway of gravity; however, in other embodiments, flow of liquid water fromthe condenser to the water collection unit can be assisted (e.g., by oneor more pumps, any other suitable delivery mechanism, and/or the like).

System 100 can comprise a filter (e.g., a filtration membrane), whichcan be positioned between condenser 180 and water collection unit 184(e.g., to reduce an amount of impurities, such as, for example, sand,bacteria, fibrous, carbonaceous species, and/or the like, which can bepresent in liquid water produced by condenser 180). Water collectionunit 184 (e.g., or filter thereof) can comprise an ultraviolet (UV)light source (e.g., for disinfection of liquid water produced bycondenser 180). In some embodiments, suitable light sources can compriselight emitting diodes (LEDs) having, for example: wavelengths below 400nanometers (nm) (e.g., 385 nm, 365 nm, and/or the like), wavelengthsbelow 300 nm (e.g., 265 nm), and/or the like.

Water collection unit 184 can comprise a receptacle configured toreceive one or more additives for introduction to the produced liquidwater. Such additives can be configured to dissolve slowly into liquidwater stored in the water collection unit. Additives can include, butare not limited to, minerals, salts, other compounds, and/or the like.In some embodiments, additives can impart flavor to the produced liquidwater. For example, additives can include potassium salts, magnesiumsalts, calcium salts, fluoride salts, carbonate salts, iron salts,chloride salts, silica, limestone, and/or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, system 100 can comprise multiple continuousdesiccant units. For example, system 100 can comprise a continuousdesiccant unit 120. Continuous desiccant unit 120 can be similar oridentical to continuous desiccant unit 110. For example, continuousdesiccant unit 120 can comprise an adsorption zone 122 in fluidcommunication with regeneration fluid in the regeneration fluid pathway134 exiting condenser unit 180. Continuous desiccant unit 120 furthercan comprise a desorption zone 124 in fluid communication with theregeneration fluid in regeneration fluid pathway 134 exiting desorptionzone 114 of continuous desiccant unit 110.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the regeneration fluidexiting desorption 124 zone of continuous desiccant unit 120 can bedirected to batch desiccant unit 160 during a batch release time. Forexample, at least a portion of the regeneration fluid in regenerationfluid pathway 114 exiting continuous desiccant unit 120 can be directedto regeneration inlet 161 of batch desiccant unit 160. In otherembodiments, such as, for example, when continuous desiccant unit 120 isomitted, at least a portion of the regeneration fluid in regenerationfluid pathway 134 exiting condenser unit 180 can be directed toregeneration inlet 161 of batch desiccant unit 160.

System 100 can comprise controller 150 configured to control productionrate of liquid water from air based on one or more operationalparameters for water production. Controller 150 can control exposure ofdesiccant 118 (or a portion thereof) to air in process air pathway 126and regeneration fluid in regeneration fluid pathway 134 (e.g., toincrease, maximize and/or optimize the liquid water ultimately producedby system 100), and such control can vary over a diurnal cycle (e.g., inresponse to diurnal variations). Furthermore, controller 150 can controlexposure of desiccant 168 to air in process air pathway 173 via batchdesiccant inlet 172 during a batch load time and can control heating ofbatch desiccant unit 160 by regeneration fluid in regeneration fluidpathway 134 during a batch release time (e.g., to increase and/oroptimize the liquid water ultimately produced), and such control canvary over a diurnal cycle (e.g., in response to diurnal variations).Such variations in environmental conditions (e.g., inputs intocontroller 150) can include, for example, ambient air temperature,ambient air relative humidity, and solar insolation.

System 100 can comprise a solar power unit 156 configured to providepower to at least a portion of system 100 (e.g., blowers 142, circulator146, actuator 116, and/or the like). Solar power unit 156 can beconfigured to convert solar insolation to electrical power (e.g., solarpower unit 156 comprises a solar panel). For example, solar power unit156 can be provided as a photovoltaic solar panel comprisingsemiconducting materials exhibiting a photovoltaic effect. In these andsimilar embodiments, controller 150 can be configured to control system100 in response to diurnal variations in solar insolation (e.g., anamount of electrical power generated by solar power unit 156).

System 100 can comprise a telematics unit 158 (e.g., a transmitter,receiver, transponder, transverter, repeater, transceiver, and/or thelike). For example, telematics unit 158 can be configured to communicateoperational parameters and/or data to and/or from system 100 (e.g.,controller 150) via a wired and/or wireless interface. In on example,wireless communications can conform to standardized communicationsprotocols, such as, for example, global system for mobile communications(GSM), short message service (SMS) components operating at relativelylow rates (e.g., operating every few minutes), protocols that can begeographically specified, and/or the like).

Inputs to controller 150 can include, for example, an amount of thermalenergy generated by thermal unit 154, an amount of thermal energy offluid in the regeneration fluid pathway 134 (e.g. at one or morelocations along the regeneration fluid pathway 134), a relative humidityof air in process air pathway 126 and/or process air pathway 173, arelative humidity of fluid in regeneration fluid pathway 134 and/orbatch output conduit 178, a temperature of fluid in regeneration fluidpathway 134 between continuous desiccant unit 110 and thermal unit 154,a temperature of fluid in regeneration fluid pathway 134″ between batchdesiccant unit 160 and thermal unit 154, a temperature of batch outputfluid in batch output conduit 178 between batch desiccant unit 160 andcondenser unit 180, a rate of water production, an amount of waterproduced, an amount of heat carried by the regeneration fluid in theregeneration pathway (e.g. at one or more locations along theregeneration fluid pathway 134), and/or the like.

Controller 150 can be configured to optimize liquid water production bycontrolling a rate of movement of desiccant 118 between adsorption zone112 and desorption zone 114, controlling speeds of blowers 142 and/orcirculator 146, controlling exposure of desiccant 168 to ambient airduring a batch load time, controlling heating of batch desiccant 168during a batch release time, controlling evacuation of batch outputfluid from batch desiccant volume 164 to batch output conduit 178 duringa batch release time, and/or the like, based, on measurements of one ormore of such inputs (e.g., such that controller 150 can optimize liquidwater production based on current or expected environmental and systemconditions).

Controller 150 can be configured to control one or more of blowers 142,circulator 146, actuator 116, batch desiccant inlet 172, batch desiccantoutlet 174 and/or the like (e.g., to optimize liquid water production,where such control can be in response to diurnal variations, forexample, in ambient temperature, ambient air relative humidity, solarinsolation, and/or the like). For example, controller 150 can beconfigured to increase a rate of liquid water production by controllingblower 142, circulator 146, actuator 116, batch desiccant inlet 172,batch desiccant outlet 174 and/or the like, taking into account, forexample, diurnal variations. Such variations can change the amount ofthermal energy generated by thermal unit 154, the amount of thermalenergy or heat present in regeneration fluid pathway 134, the level ofelectrical power provided by solar power unit 156, the level of humidityin process or ambient air entering the system, and/or the like. In someembodiments, ambient conditions can be measured in real-time or can beforecast based on, for example, historical averages and/or the like. Inembodiments in which controller 150 receives real-time measurements,various sensors (described in more detail below) can provide dataindicative of ambient conditions to controller 150 (e.g., continuously,periodically, when requested by controller 150, and/or the like).

System 100 can comprise indicators (e.g., lights, such as, for example,LEDs), which can be configured to provide information regardingoperation of system 100. For example, in some embodiments, indicatorlights can be configured to provide information (e.g., visually, forexample, to a user of system 100) that system 100 is running, that solarpower or insolation is available, that an air filter (e.g., withinprocess air pathway 126 and/or process air pathway 173) needs to bechanged, that water collection unit 184 is full and/or contains apredetermined volume of liquid water (e.g., 20 liters), that one or moreof actuator 116, blowers 142, circulator 146, and/or the like has failedand/or is failing, that telematics errors (e.g., as indicated bytelematics unit 158 operation) have and/or are occurring, and/or thelike. Any desirable information (including the information describedabove with reference to indicators) can be transmitted over acommunications network (e.g., alone and/or in addition to operation ofany indicators).

Controller 150 can operate system 100 based on one or more of: a userselection, data received from one or more sensors, programmatic control,and/or by any other desirable bases. For example, controller 150 can beassociated with peripheral devices (including sensors) for sensing datainformation, data collection components for storing data information,and/or communication components for communicating data informationrelating to the operation of system 100. In some embodiments, inputs tocontroller 150 can be measured in that the inputs can be indicated indata captured by one or more sensors. Furthermore, controller 150 can beconfigured to vary a size of an adsorption zone or a desorption zone(e.g., in response to diurnal variations) of a continuous desiccant unit(e.g., continuous desiccant unit 110, continuous desiccant unit 120,etc.), vary the exposure of a desiccant of a batch desiccant unit (e.g.,batch desiccant unit 160) (e.g. via ambient air flow rate, ambient airflow location in batch desiccant volume, etc.) or a combination thereof.

System 100 can comprise one or more peripheral devices, such as sensors136 (e.g., temperature sensors, humidity sensors, solar insolationsensor, flow rate sensors, water level sensors, and/or the like). Insome embodiments, one or more of sensors 136 can provide data indicativeof ambient air temperature, ambient air relative humidity, solarinsolation, process air temperature, regeneration fluid temperature,process air relative humidity, regeneration fluid relative humidity,process air flow rate, regeneration fluid flow rate, liquid waterproduction rate, water usage rate, and/or the like.

One or more of sensors 136 can be located remotely from other componentsof system 100 and can provide captured data to the other components ofsystem 100 via a wired and/or wireless connection. For example, a town,village, city, and/or the like can include a plurality of system 100,and one of the plurality of system 100 can provide data indicative ofambient environmental conditions (e.g., air temperature, air relativehumidity, a solar insolation level, and/or the like) to another one ofthe plurality of system 100. In this way, in some embodiments, one ormore of sensors 136 can be shared by multiple of the plurality of system100. In some embodiments, data communicated to controller 150 by one ormore peripheral devices (e.g., one or more of sensors 136) can be storedin a data logging unit.

Specific controller, telematics and sensor embodiments and functions aredescribed in greater detail in the co-pending PCT Application No.PCT/US2015/061921, filed Nov. 20, 2015, U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/600,046, filed May 19, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/554,176, filed Sep. 5, 2017 and which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

System 100 can be modular in nature. For example, system 100 can beconfigured such that each component of system 100 (e.g. solar power unit156, thermal unit 154, continuous desiccant unit 110, continuousdesiccant unit 120, batch desiccant unit 160, condenser unit 180, watercollection unit 184, and/or the like) can be separated from one another,transported, assembled and/or re-assembled with one another (e.g., in asame or a different configuration), and/or the like. For example, insome embodiments, system 100 can be configured such that no dimension ofany singular component of system 100 (e.g. solar power unit 156, thermalunit 154, continuous desiccant unit 110, continuous desiccant unit 120,batch desiccant unit 160, condenser unit 180, water collection unit 184,and/or the like) is larger than six to eight feet (e.g., to facilitatetransport of system 100 or components thereof, for example, in a singlecab truck bed, such as a bed of a Toyota Hilux pickup truck) (e.g., eachcomponent has a footprint that is less than or equal to 64 square feet(ft²) and/or each component can be contained within a cubic volume lessthan or equal to 512 cubic feet (ft³)). Any desirable number of system100 can be spread across a water management area depending on historicaland/or expected ambient conditions within the water management area,building or structures within the water management area, populationswithin the water management area and so on.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 2 depicts a system 200 to extractwater from air, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, system200 can be similar or identical to system 100 (FIG. 1). However, in someembodiments, system 200 can differ from system 100 (FIG. 1) as describedbelow. Unless otherwise specified, components shown in FIG. 2 assignedreference numbers having the same last two digits as components shown inFIG. 1 above can be similar or identical to those components shown inFIG. 1.

In some embodiments, system 200 can comprise a pump 290 operativelycoupled to a batch desiccant volume 264 so as to evacuate gasescontained therein and/or establish a low pressure condition in the batchdesiccant volume 264. For example, pump 290 can comprise a vacuum pump.In some embodiments, pump 290 can be associated with or connect to abatch output conduit 278 so as to establish a low pressure condition inbatch output conduit 278. In some embodiments, a valve at batchdesiccant outlet 274 can be actuated or opened so as to establish a lowpressure condition in batch output conduit 278 and, in turn, the batchdesiccant volume 264. As described in more detail below, in someembodiments, pump 290 can increase a partial pressure of water in batchdesiccant volume 264 and/or batch output conduit 278 during a firstrelease time. As a non-limiting example, gases or fluids in batchdesiccant volume 264 and/or batch output conduit 278 can have a watervapor pressure greater than 0.1 atmosphere, which can be facilitated bypump 290 operatively coupled to batch output conduit 278.

Turning to the next drawing, FIG. 3 depicts a system 300 to extractwater from air, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, system300 can be similar or identical to system 100 (FIG. 1) and/or system 200(FIG. 2). However, in some embodiments, system 200 can differ fromsystem 100 (FIG. 1) and/or system 200 (FIG. 2) as described below.Unless otherwise specified, components shown in FIG. 3 assignedreference numbers having the same last two digits as components shown inFIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2 above can be similar or identical to thosecomponents shown in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2.

In some embodiments, system 300 comprises a pump 390 operatively coupledto a batch desiccant volume 364 so as to evacuate gases containedtherein and/or establish a low pressure condition in batch desiccantvolume 364. In some embodiments, at least a portion of batch outputfluid exiting batch desiccant outlet 374 can be directed to regenerationfluid pathway 334 via batch output fluid conduit 378. In someembodiments, as depicted in FIG. 3, at least a portion of batch outputfluid exiting batch desiccant outlet 374 can be directed to or mixedwith regeneration fluid in regeneration fluid pathway 334 at a flowcoupling 379 between conduit 378 and regeneration fluid pathway 334(e.g. T-fitting or mixing valve, for example with adjustable flowcontrol), for example in advance of condenser unit 380. In someembodiments, at least a portion of batch desiccant output fluid in batchoutput fluid conduit 378 can be directly sent to condenser unit 380(such as depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), and at least a portion of thebatch output fluid in batch output conduit 378 can be directed toregeneration fluid pathway 334 (such as depicted in FIG. 3) at any oneor more desirable locations (e.g. at flow coupling 379) alongregeneration fluid pathway 334, and/or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, one or more of sensors 336 (e.g., temperaturesensors, humidity sensors, flow rate sensors, pressure sensor, and/orthe like) can be operatively coupled to batch desiccant conduit 378. Forexample, in some embodiments, one or more of sensors 336 can providedata indicative of batch output fluid temperature, relative humidity,pressure, flow rate, and/or the like. Furthermore, in some embodiments,controller 350 can vary operating parameters of pump 390 in response tosensed conditions, for example sensed conditions of batch output fluidin batch output conduit 376, regeneration fluid in regeneration fluidpathway 334, or a combination thereof.

Turning to the next drawing, FIG. 4 depicts a system 400 to extractwater from air, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, system400 can be similar or identical to system 100 (FIG. 1), system 200 (FIG.2), and/or system 300 (FIG. 3). However, in some embodiments, system 400can differ from system 100 (FIG. 1), system 200 (FIG. 2), and/or system300 (FIG. 3) as described below. Unless otherwise specified, componentsshown in FIG. 4 assigned reference numbers having the same last twodigits as components shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and/or FIG. 3 above can besimilar or identical to those components shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and/orFIG. 3.

In some embodiments, system 400 can comprise a thermal unit 454configured to provide thermal energy to regeneration fluid inregeneration fluid pathway 434. In some embodiments, at least a portionof a regeneration fluid exiting thermal unit 454 can be directed to aregeneration inlet 461 of a batch desiccant unit 460 during a batchrelease time. Furthermore, in some embodiments, at least a portion ofregeneration fluid can exit batch desiccant unit 460 via a regenerationoutlet 463 during a batch release time, such as, for example, to bedirected to a desorption zone 414 of a continuous desiccant unit 410.

Turning to the next drawing, FIG. 5 depicts a system 500 to extractwater from air, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, system500 can be similar or identical to system 100 (FIG. 1), system 200 (FIG.2), system 300 (FIG. 3), and/or system 400 (FIG. 4). However, in someembodiments, system 500 can differ from system 100 (FIG. 1), system 200(FIG. 2), system 300 (FIG. 3), and/or system 400 (FIG. 4) as describedbelow. Unless otherwise specified, components shown in FIG. 5 assignedreference numbers having the same last two digits as components shown inFIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and/or FIG. 4 above can be similar or identicalto those components shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and/or FIG. 4.

In some embodiments, system 500 can comprise a continuous desiccant unit510, a continuous desiccant unit 520, and a batch desiccant unit 560. Insome embodiments, at least a portion of regeneration fluid exiting adesorption zone 524 of continuous desiccant unit 510 is directed to aregeneration inlet 561 of batch desiccant unit 560, such as, forexample, during a batch release time. As depicted in FIG. 5, in someembodiments, batch desiccant unit 560 comprises a batch output conduit578 configured to direct at least a portion of batch output fluiddirectly to condenser 580. However, in other embodiments, at least aportion of batch desiccant output fluid can be directed to regenerationpathway 534 and/or a second condenser unit.

Turning to the next drawing, FIG. 6 depicts a batch desiccant unit 660,according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, batch desiccant unit660 can be similar or identical to batch desiccant unit 160 (FIG. 1),batch desiccant unit 260 (FIG. 2), batch desiccant unit 360 (FIG. 3),batch desiccant unit 460 (FIG. 4), and/or batch desiccant unit 560 (FIG.5). However, in some embodiments, batch desiccant unit 660 can differfrom batch desiccant unit 160 (FIG. 1), batch desiccant unit 260 (FIG.2), batch desiccant unit 360 (FIG. 3), batch desiccant unit 460 (FIG.4), and/or batch desiccant unit 560 (FIG. 5) as described below. Unlessotherwise specified, components shown in FIG. 6 assigned referencenumbers having the same last two digits as components shown in FIG. 1,FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and/or FIG. 5 above can be similar or identicalto those components shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and/or FIG.5.

In some embodiments, batch desiccant unit 660 can comprise a batchdesiccant housing 662 defining a batch desiccant volume 664. In someembodiments, desiccant 668 can be retained within batch desiccant volume664. In some embodiments, batch desiccant housing 662 and batchdesiccant volume 664 are depicted in a cylindrical configuration in FIG.6; however, batch desiccant housing 662 and batch desiccant volume 664can be provided in any desirable shape or configuration, for example tomaximize water uptake and/or release.

In some embodiments, batch desiccant housing 662 can comprise one ormore batch desiccant inlets 672 configured to input ambient air to batchdesiccant volume 664 (e.g. via process air pathway 673). In someembodiments, batch desiccant inlet(s) 672 can be configured to inputambient air to the batch desiccant volume 664, such as, for example,during a batch load time. In some embodiments, batch desiccant housing662 further can comprise one or more batch desiccant outlets 674configured to output a batch output fluid to a batch output conduit 178,such as, for example, during a batch release time.

In some embodiments, batch desiccant unit 660 can comprise aregeneration inlet 661 configured to input at least a portion of theregeneration fluid from regeneration fluid pathway 634 into batchdesiccant unit 660. In some embodiments, batch desiccant unit 660further can comprise a regeneration outlet 663 configured to output atleast a portion of the regeneration fluid from batch desiccant unit 660to regeneration fluid pathway 634. In some embodiments, batch desiccanthousing 662 can comprise a heat transfer surface 665 configured totransfer heat carried by the regeneration fluid in regeneration fluidpathway 634 to desiccant 668 in batch desiccant volume 664, such as, forexample, during a batch release time.

In some embodiments, batch desiccant volume 664 and regeneration fluidpathway 634 through batch desiccant unit 660 can be provided as distinctvolumes, conduits or chambers such that regeneration fluid inregeneration fluid pathway 634 is inhibited from directly interactingwith desiccant 668 in batch desiccant volume 664. Furthermore, pressurewithin batch desiccant volume 664 can be independent from pressure ofregeneration fluid pathway 634 through batch desiccant unit 660. Duringa batch release time, a system comprising a pump can be operativelycoupled to batch desiccant volume 664 so as to evacuate gases containedtherein and/or establish a low pressure condition in batch desiccantvolume 664 and/or batch output conduit 678. For example, the system canbe similar or identical to system 200 (FIG. 2) and/or the pump can besimilar or identical to pump 290 (FIG. 2). When a low pressure conditionis present within batch desiccant volume 664 and/or batch output conduit678, the pressure of the regeneration fluid in regeneration fluidpathway 634 through batch desiccant unit 660 can be unaffected.

Turning to the next drawing, FIG. 7 depicts a batch desiccant unit 760,according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, batch desiccant unit760 can be similar or identical to batch desiccant unit 160 (FIG. 1),batch desiccant unit 260 (FIG. 2), batch desiccant unit 360 (FIG. 3),batch desiccant unit 460 (FIG. 4), batch desiccant unit 560 (FIG. 5),and/or batch desiccant unit 660 (FIG. 6). However, in some embodiments,batch desiccant unit 660 can differ from batch desiccant unit 160 (FIG.1), batch desiccant unit 260 (FIG. 2), batch desiccant unit 360 (FIG.3), batch desiccant unit 460 (FIG. 4), batch desiccant unit 560 (FIG.5), and/or batch desiccant unit 660 (FIG. 6) as described below. Unlessotherwise specified, components shown in FIG. 7 assigned referencenumbers having the same last two digits as components shown in FIG. 1,FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and/or FIG. 6 above can be similar oridentical to those components shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4,FIG. 5, and/or FIG. 6.

In some embodiments, batch desiccant unit 760 can comprise a batchdesiccant housing 762 defining batch desiccant volume 764. In someembodiments, batch desiccant housing 762 can comprise one or moreopenings 735 configured to transfer at least a portion of theregeneration fluid from regeneration fluid pathway 734 into batchdesiccant volume 764 so as to heat desiccant 768, such as, for example,during a batch release time. In some embodiments, regeneration fluidfrom the regeneration fluid pathway 734 can exit batch desiccant volume764 via batch output conduit 778.

Turning to the next drawing, FIG. 8 depicts a system 800 to extractwater from air, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, system800 can be similar or identical to system 100 (FIG. 1), system 200 (FIG.2), system 300 (FIG. 3), system 400 (FIG. 4), and/or system 500 (FIG.5). However, in some embodiments, system 800 can differ from system 100(FIG. 1), system 200 (FIG. 2), system 300 (FIG. 3), system 400 (FIG. 4),and/or system 500 (FIG. 5) as described below. Unless otherwisespecified, components shown in FIG. 8 assigned reference numbers havingthe same last two digits as components shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3,FIG. 4, and/or FIG. 5 above can be similar or identical to thosecomponents shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and/or FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, system 800 can comprise a thermal unit 854configured to heat a regeneration fluid in a regeneration fluid pathway834, a continuous desiccant unit 810, a continuous desiccant unit 220, abatch desiccant unit 860 a, and a batch desiccant unit 860 b. Batchdesiccant unit 860 a and/or batch desiccant unit 860 b can be similar oridentical to batch desiccant unit 160 (FIG. 1), batch desiccant unit 260(FIG. 2), batch desiccant unit 360 (FIG. 3), batch desiccant unit 460(FIG. 4), batch desiccant unit 560 (FIG. 2), batch desiccant unit 660(FIG. 6), and/or batch desiccant unit 760 (FIG. 7). In furtherembodiments, system 800 can comprise one or more additional batchdesiccant units, which can be similar or identical to batch desiccantunit 860 a and/or batch desiccant unit 860 b.

In some embodiments, batch desiccant unit 860 a can comprise aregeneration inlet 861 a configured to input at least a portion of theregeneration fluid from regeneration fluid pathway 834 into batchdesiccant unit 860 a and a regeneration fluid outlet 863 a configured tooutput at least a portion of the regeneration fluid from batch desiccantunit 860 a into regeneration fluid pathway 834, such as, for example,during a first batch release time. Further, in some embodiments, batchdesiccant unit 860 b can comprise a regeneration inlet 861 b configuredto input at least a portion of the regeneration fluid from regenerationfluid pathway 834 into batch desiccant unit 860 b and a regenerationfluid outlet 863 b configured to output at least a portion of theregeneration fluid from batch desiccant unit 860 b into regenerationfluid pathway 834, such as, for example, during a second batch releasetime.

In some embodiments, batch desiccant unit 860 a can comprise a batchdesiccant housing 862 a defining a batch desiccant volume 864 a. Batchdesiccant housing 862 a can comprise a batch desiccant inlet 872 aconfigured to input ambient air to batch desiccant volume 864 a viaprocess air pathway 873 a, such as, for example, during a first batchload time. Batch desiccant housing 862 a further can comprise a batchdesiccant outlet 874 a configured to output a batch output fluid frombatch desiccant volume 864 a to a batch output fluid conduit 878 a, suchas, for example, during a first batch release time. Further, in someembodiments, batch desiccant unit 860 b can comprise a batch desiccanthousing 862 b defining a batch desiccant volume 864 b. Batch desiccanthousing 862 b can comprise a batch desiccant inlet 872 b configured toinput ambient air to batch desiccant volume 864 b via process airpathway 873 b, such as, for example, during a second batch load time.Batch desiccant housing 862 b further can comprise a batch desiccantoutlet 874 b configured to output a batch output fluid from batchdesiccant volume 864 b to a batch output fluid conduit 878 b, such as,for example, during a second batch release time.

In some embodiments, system 800 can comprise a condenser unit 880 forproducing liquid water from regeneration fluid in regeneration fluidpathway 834 and batch output fluid from batch output fluid conduit 878 aand batch output fluid conduit 878 b. In some embodiments, a pump 890can be operatively coupled to batch desiccant volume 864 a and batchdesiccant volume 864 b and/or batch output fluid conduit 878 a and batchoutput fluid conduit 878 b so as to evacuate gases contained thereinand/or establish a low pressure condition in the batch desiccant volume864 a and batch desiccant volume 864 b and/or batch output fluid conduit878 a and batch output fluid conduit 878 b. In some embodiments, a valveof batch desiccant outlet 874 a can be actuated or opened so as toestablish a low pressure condition in batch desiccant volume 864 aand/or a valve at a flow coupling of batch output fluid conduit 878 aand regeneration fluid conduit 834 a can be actuated or opened so as toestablish a low pressure condition in batch output conduit 878 a, suchas, for example, during a first batch release time associated with batchdesiccant unit 860 a. Similarly, a valve of batch desiccant outlet 874 bcan be actuated or opened so as to establish a low pressure condition inbatch desiccant volume 864 b and/or a valve at a flow coupling of batchoutput fluid conduit 878 b and regeneration fluid conduit 834 b can beactuated or opened so as to establish a low pressure condition in batchoutput conduit 878 b, such as, for example, during a second batchrelease time associated with batch desiccant unit 860 b.

Turning to the next drawing, FIG. 9 depicts a system 900 to extractwater from air, according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, system900 can be similar or identical to system 100 (FIG. 1), system 200 (FIG.2), system 300 (FIG. 3), system 400 (FIG. 4), system 500 (FIG. 5),and/or system 800 (FIG. 8). However, in some embodiments, system 900 candiffer from system 100 (FIG. 1), system 200 (FIG. 2), system 300 (FIG.3), system 400 (FIG. 4), system 500 (FIG. 5) and/or system 800 (FIG. 8)as described below. Unless otherwise specified, components shown in FIG.9 assigned reference numbers having the same last two digits ascomponents shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and/or FIG.8 above can be similar or identical to those components shown in FIG. 1,FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and/or FIG. 8.

In some embodiments, system 900 can comprise a plurality of batchdesiccant units (e.g., batch desiccant unit 960 a, a batch desiccantunit 960 b, . . . batch desiccant unit 960 n). Each of the plurality ofbatch desiccant units can be similar or identical to batch desiccantunit 160 (FIG. 1), batch desiccant unit 260 (FIG. 2), batch desiccantunit 360 (FIG. 3), batch desiccant unit 460 (FIG. 4), batch desiccantunit 560 (FIG. 2), batch desiccant unit 660 (FIG. 6), and/or batchdesiccant unit 760 (FIG. 7).

In these or other embodiments, system 900 can comprise one or morecontinuous desiccant units. The one or more continuous desiccant unitsare not shown in FIG. 9 for simplicity. Each of the plurality ofcontinuous desiccant units can be similar or identical to continuousdesiccant unit 110 (FIG. 1), continuous desiccant unit 210 (FIG. 2),continuous desiccant unit 310 (FIG. 3), continuous desiccant unit 410(FIG. 4), continuous desiccant unit 510 (FIG. 5), and/or continuousdesiccant unit 810 (FIG. 8).

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of batch desiccant units(e.g., batch desiccant unit 960 a, a batch desiccant unit 960 b, . . .batch desiccant unit 960 n) can comprise a batch desiccant housing(e.g., batch desiccant housing 962 a) which can define a batch desiccantvolume (e.g., batch desiccant volume 964 a, batch desiccant volume 964b, batch desiccant volume 964 n) configured to retain a desiccant. Insome embodiments, each batch desiccant housing can be similar oridentical to batch desiccant housing 162 (FIG. 1), batch desiccanthousing 262 (FIG. 2), batch desiccant housing 362 (FIG. 3), batchdesiccant housing 462 (FIG. 4), batch desiccant housing 562 (FIG. 5),batch desiccant housing 662 (FIG. 6), batch desiccant housing 762 (FIG.7), and/or batch desiccant housing 862 (FIG. 8). In these or otherembodiments, each batch desiccant volume can be similar or identical tobatch desiccant volume 164 (FIG. 1), batch desiccant volume 264 (FIG.2), batch desiccant volume 364 (FIG. 3), batch desiccant volume 464(FIG. 4), batch desiccant volume 564 (FIG. 5), batch desiccant volume664 (FIG. 6), batch desiccant volume 764 (FIG. 7), and/or batchdesiccant volume 864 (FIG. 8). In these or other embodiments, eachdesiccant can be similar or identical to desiccant 168 (FIG. 1),desiccant 268 (FIG. 2), desiccant 368 (FIG. 3), desiccant 468 (FIG. 4),desiccant 568 (FIG. 5), desiccant 668 (FIG. 6), desiccant 768 (FIG. 7),and/or desiccant 868 (FIG. 8).

In some embodiments, each batch desiccant housing (e.g., batch desiccanthousing 962 a) can comprise a batch desiccant inlet (e.g., batchdesiccant inlet 972 a, . . . batch desiccant inlet 972 n) configured toinput ambient air to its corresponding batch desiccant volume. Forexample, each batch desiccant inlet can be configured to input ambientair to its corresponding batch desiccant volume during a batch load timeassociated with its corresponding batch desiccant unit. In someembodiments, each batch desiccant inlet can be similar or identical tobatch desiccant inlet 172 (FIG. 1), batch desiccant inlet 272 (FIG. 2),batch desiccant inlet 372 (FIG. 3), batch desiccant inlet 472 (FIG. 4),batch desiccant inlet 572 (FIG. 5), batch desiccant inlet 672 (FIG. 6),batch desiccant inlet 772 (FIG. 7), and/or batch desiccant inlet 872(FIG. 8).

In some embodiments, each batch desiccant housing (e.g., batch desiccanthousing 962 a) further can comprise a batch desiccant outlet (e.g.,batch desiccant outlet 974 a) configured to output a batch output fluidcomprising water vapor to a batch output fluid conduit (e.g., batchoutput fluid conduit 978 a, batch output fluid conduit 978 b, . . .batch output fluid conduit 978 n). For example, each batch desiccantoutlet can be configured to output a batch output fluid to itscorresponding batch output fluid conduit during a batch release timeassociated with its corresponding batch desiccant unit. In someembodiments, each batch desiccant outlet can be similar or identical tobatch desiccant outlet 174 (FIG. 1), batch desiccant outlet 274 (FIG.2), batch desiccant outlet 374 (FIG. 3), batch desiccant outlet 474(FIG. 4), batch desiccant outlet 574 (FIG. 5), batch desiccant outlet(s)674 (FIG. 6), batch desiccant outlet(s) 774 (FIG. 7), batch desiccantoutlet 874 a (FIG. 8), and/or batch desiccant outlet 874 b (FIG. 8). Inthese or other embodiments, each batch output fluid conduit can besimilar or identical to batch output fluid conduit 178 (FIG. 1), batchoutput fluid conduit 278 (FIG. 2), batch output fluid conduit 378 (FIG.3), batch output fluid conduit 478 (FIG. 4), batch output fluid conduit578 (FIG. 5), batch output fluid conduit 678 (FIG. 6), batch outputfluid conduit 778 (FIG. 7), and/or batch output fluid conduit 878 (FIG.8). In some embodiments, as illustrated at FIG. 9, each batch outputfluid conduit can be coupled to a primary batch output fluid conduit 978coupled to a condenser unit 980, but in other embodiments, each batchoutput fluid conduit can be directly coupled to condenser unit 980. Infurther embodiments, primary output fluid conduit can be similar oridentical to batch output fluid conduit 178 (FIG. 1), batch output fluidconduit 278 (FIG. 2), batch output fluid conduit 378 (FIG. 3), batchoutput fluid conduit 478 (FIG. 4), batch output fluid conduit 578 (FIG.5), batch output fluid conduit 678 (FIG. 6), batch output fluid conduit778 (FIG. 7), and/or batch output fluid conduit 878 (FIG. 8).

In some embodiments, each batch desiccant unit (e.g., batch desiccantunit 960 a, a batch desiccant unit 960 b, . . . batch desiccant unit 960n) can comprise a regeneration inlet (e.g., regeneration inlet 961 a, .. . regeneration inlet 961 n) configured to input at least a portion ofthe regeneration fluid from regeneration fluid pathway 934 to thecorresponding batch desiccant units. In some embodiments, eachregeneration inlet can be similar or identical to regeneration inlet 161(FIG. 1), regeneration inlet 261 (FIG. 2), regeneration inlet 361 (FIG.3), regeneration inlet 461 (FIG. 4), regeneration inlet 561 (FIG. 5),regeneration inlet 661 (FIG. 6), regeneration inlet 761 (FIG. 7), and/orregeneration inlet 861 (FIG. 8). Further, each batch desiccant unit(e.g., batch desiccant unit 960 a, a batch desiccant unit 960 b, . . .batch desiccant unit 960 n) can comprise a regeneration outlet (e.g.,regeneration outlet 963 n) configured to output at least a portion ofthe regeneration fluid from the corresponding batch desiccant units backto regeneration fluid pathway 934. In some embodiments, eachregeneration outlet can be similar or identical to regeneration outlet163 (FIG. 1), regeneration outlet 263 (FIG. 2), regeneration outlet 363(FIG. 3), regeneration outlet 463 (FIG. 4), regeneration outlet 563(FIG. 5), regeneration outlet 663 (FIG. 6), regeneration outlet 763(FIG. 7), and/or regeneration outlet 863 (FIG. 8).

In some embodiments, each batch desiccant unit (e.g., batch desiccantunit 960 a, a batch desiccant unit 960 b, . . . batch desiccant unit 960n) can comprise a process air pathway (e.g., process air pathway 973 a).The process air pathway can be similar or identical to process airpathway 173 (FIG. 1), process air pathway 273 (FIG. 2), process airpathway 373 (FIG. 3), process air pathway 473 (FIG. 4), process airpathway 573 (FIG. 5), process air pathway 673 (FIG. 1), process airpathway 773 (FIG. 7), and/or process air pathway 873 (FIG. 8).

System 900 can be configured such that regeneration fluid can enter oneor more of the batch desiccant units via the corresponding batchdesiccant inlet(s) during a batch release time associated with the batchdesiccant unit(s). Further, system 900 further can comprise a pump 990operatively coupled to the batch desiccant volumes of the batchdesiccant units so as to evacuate gases contained and/or establish a lowpressure condition therein. For example, pump 990 can be coupled to thebatch output fluid conduits of the batch desiccant units and/or theprimary batch output fluid conduit. Each of the batch desiccant outlets(e.g., batch outlet 974 a) and/or batch desiccant conduits can comprisea valve that can be actuated or opened so as to establish a low pressurecondition in the corresponding batch output fluid conduit and, in turn,the corresponding batch desiccant volume. Pump 990 can increase apartial pressure of water in one or more of the batch desiccantvolume(s) and/or batch output conduit(s) during a release timeassociated with the corresponding batch desiccant unit(s).

The batch desiccant units of system 900 can operate such that one ormore batch desiccant units can have a load time at night, early in theday and/or late in the day. Once a solar thermal unit 954 is heating theregeneration fluid and one or more of the batch desiccant units are in aloaded state, a batch release operation associated with one or more ofthe batch desiccant units can be executed in a cyclic, revolving or“round-robin” manner. For example, during the nighttime, the batchdesiccant units can be loaded with water by flowing ambient air (e.g.,from the corresponding air process pathway) across each batch desiccantvolume (e.g. by actuating valves at the batch desiccant inlets). Duringthe daytime, the regeneration inlet of batch desiccant unit 960 a can beconfigured to permit at least a portion of regeneration fluid into batchdesiccant unit 960 a so as to heat batch desiccant volume 964 a during abatch release time associated with batch desiccant unit 960 a. Pump 990can establish a low pressure condition in batch output conduit 978 aduring a batch release time associated with batch desiccant unit 960 a,such as, for example, by actuating a valve corresponding to batch outputconduit 978 a. Once a predetermined amount of water (e.g. as determinedvia a sensor, relative humidity in output conduit, elapsed time, etc.)has been extracted from the batch desiccant unit 960 a, this releaseoperation can be repeated for each of the batch desiccant units of thesystem 900 in a cyclic manner. In particular, pump 990 can establish alow pressure condition in batch output conduit 978 b during a batchrelease time associated with batch desiccant unit 960 b, and so on tobatch desiccant unit 960 n.

In some embodiments, a predetermined first fraction of the watercontained within the batch desiccant volume 964 a can be extracted,followed by extraction of a first predetermined fraction from batchdesiccant unit 960 b and so on to batch desiccant unit 960 n so as tomaximize efficiency of water production of system 900. This “shallowextraction” of water from the batch desiccant units of system 900 incyclic manner, can optimize the use of heat present in system 900 formaximum water production. Not to be bound by any particular theory, butthe water release process at the beginning of a batch release timefacilitates the use of low grade heat, whereas higher temperatures canbe required to extract water from a batch desiccant unit as less waterremains in the batch desiccant volume.

Improved systems and methods for maximizing the extraction of liquidwater from air are described herein. As described above, systems toextract liquid water from air can comprise one or more continuousdesiccant units and one or more batch desiccant units. Continuousdesiccant units can operate in a continuous, or non-batch, fashion, suchthat water can be absorbed and desorbed by the continuous desiccant unitsubstantially simultaneously or simultaneously. Batch desiccant unitscan operate in an intermittent, alternating or batch fashion such thatwater can be absorbed and desorbed by the batch desiccant unitsubstantially separately, sequentially or consecutively.

Liquid water produced by extracting water vapor from ambient air can bemaximized or optimized by implementing both continuous and batchdesiccant units that are regenerated by heat from a thermal unit viaregeneration fluid flow. The dynamics of such systems and methods aresuch that the maximum grade of heat for regenerating desiccant materialat any one time can be utilized at any one time to produce a maximumamount of water. Not to be bound by any particular theory, but a systemcomprising a continuous desiccant unit allows a small desiccant mass toproduce water dynamically at high efficiency. However, low grade heat,low temperature heat or waste heat (e.g. regeneration fluid having a lowthermal energy or low temperature above ambient air temperature whichdoes not provide a significant temperature swing to regenerate desiccantmaterial in a continuous desiccant unit) flows through the system butcan remain wasted or unused in terms of producing liquid water.

Furthermore, thermal performance including the thermal coefficient ofperformance (COP) of desiccant-based water from air systems can beimproved by integrating the complementary thermodynamics of adsorptionand desorption in a continuous desiccant unit (e.g. rotary desiccant)and a batch desiccant unit, thereby efficiently using low grade thermalenergy for maximum water production.

In some embodiments, regeneration fluid flowing in a regeneration fluidpathway (e.g. regenerative fluid pathway 134′ (FIG. 1)) of a system(e.g., system 100 (FIG. 1)) at approximately 40 cubic feet per minute(cfm) and having a temperature of approximately 20 degrees Celsius aboveambient air temperature (e.g. regeneration fluid at 45° C. and ambienttemperature at 25° C.) can translate to approximately 400 Watts of “lowgrade” or waste heat, such as, for example, leaving a condenser unit(e.g., condenser unit 180 (FIG. 1)) or a continuous desiccant unit(e.g., continuous desiccant unit 120 (FIG. 1)). A batch desiccant unitof the system (e.g. batch desiccant unit 160 (FIG. 1)) can utilize this400 Watts of waste heat to heat a desiccant of the batch desiccant unit(e.g. desiccant 168 (FIG. 1)) so as to generate water therefrom. In oneexample, the batch desiccant unit can have a load time at night, earlyin the day and/or late in the day when water is not being produced fromthe continuous desiccant unit and/or solar thermal unit is not heatingthe regeneration fluid. Once the batch desiccant unit is in a loadedstate, the batch release time can occur at a different time of day, forexample when a solar thermal unit is producing a high amount of heat inthe presence of high solar insolation.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 10 depicts a method 1000 to extractwater from air. Activities of method 1000 that are indicated by dashedlines can be optional in some embodiments. Activities of method 1000 canbe performed separately, sequentially or simultaneously. In someembodiments, method 1000 can comprise a method of operating a system.The system can be similar or identical to system 100 (FIG. 1), system200 (FIG. 2), system 300 (FIG. 3), system 400 (FIG. 4), system 500 (FIG.5), system 800 (FIG. 8), and/or system 900 (FIG. 9).

In some embodiments, method 1000 can comprise activity 1002 of heating aregeneration fluid in a regeneration fluid pathway, such as, forexample, by a solar thermal unit.

In some embodiments, method 1000 can comprise activity 1004 of moving azone of a continuous desiccant unit between an ambient air flow and theregeneration fluid in the regeneration fluid pathway.

In some embodiments, method 1000 can comprise activity 1006 of inputtingambient or process air to a first batch desiccant unit during a firstbatch load time. For example, one or more blowers can increase a flowrate of ambient air into a batch desiccant volume of the first batchdesiccant unit. In some embodiments, a batch desiccant inlet cancomprise a valve (e.g. actuated by a controller) and/or other flowmanagement device to allow ambient air to enter the batch desiccantvolume during the first batch load time.

In some embodiments, method 1000 can comprise activity 1008 of inputtingat least a portion of the regeneration fluid to the first batchdesiccant unit during a first batch release time. A regeneration inletand regeneration outlet of the batch desiccant unit can permit at leasta portion of regeneration fluid to heat desiccant material in the batchdesiccant volume during the first batch release time. For example, theregeneration inlet and/or outlet can comprise a valve (e.g. actuated bya controller) and/or other flow management device to facilitate heating.

In some embodiments, method 1000 can comprise activity 1010 ofoutputting a batch output fluid comprising water vapor from the firstbatch desiccant unit to a first batch output fluid conduit during thefirst batch release time. For example, a valve (e.g. actuated by acontroller) and/or other flow management device can allow the batchoutput fluid to exit the batch desiccant volume.

In some embodiments, method 1000 can comprise activity 1012 of forming alow pressure condition in the batch desiccant volume and/or the batchoutput fluid conduit. For example, a pump can evacuate gases containedin the batch desiccant volume and/or batch output fluid conduit. Forexample, the pump can increase a partial pressure of water in the batchdesiccant volume and/or batch output conduit during the first batchrelease time. In some embodiments, forming a low pressure condition inthe batch desiccant volume and/or batch output fluid conduit occursduring a batch release time. In further embodiments, forming the lowpressure condition can comprise forming a pressure below 1 atmosphere inthe batch desiccant volume and/or batch output conduit.

In some embodiments, method 1000 further can comprise an activity ofdetermining whether a pressure of gases in the batch desiccant unitand/or batch output fluid conduit is below a predetermined minimumpressure value. In response to determining a pressure of gases in thebatch desiccant unit and/or batch output fluid conduit is below apredetermined minimum pressure value, the method can comprisetransitioning from outputting batch output fluid from the batchdesiccant unit during the batch release time to inputting ambient air tothe batch desiccant unit during the batch load time.

In some embodiments, method 1000 can comprise activity 1014 ofcondensing water vapor contained in the regeneration fluid and/or thebatch output fluid conduit. At activity 1014, a first condenser unit canreceive the regeneration fluid in the regeneration fluid pathway toproduce liquid water from the received regeneration fluid. The firstcondenser unit or another condenser unit can receive the batch outputfluid in the batch output fluid conduit. In some embodiments, ambient orprocess air can be directed to condenser unit so as to cool thecondenser unit.

In some embodiments, method 1000 can comprise activity 1016 ofmaximizing a liquid water production rate of at least one condenserunit. For example, maximizing the liquid water production rate cancomprise altering a rate of moving a zone of a continuous desiccant unitbetween ambient air and the regeneration fluid in the regeneration fluidpathway. In some embodiments, a rate of moving a zone of the continuousdesiccant unit to maximize liquid water production can based on one ormore of: an ambient air temperature, ambient air relative humidity, anda level of solar insolation.

In some embodiments, performing activity 1016 can comprise an activityof varying a batch load time and a batch release time of one or morebatch desiccant units. For example, exposure of batch desiccant toambient air during a batch load time and heating of batch desiccant byregeneration fluid in regeneration fluid pathway during a batch releasetime can be varied over a diurnal cycle (e.g., in response to diurnalvariations). Such variations in environmental conditions can include,for example, ambient air temperature, ambient air relative humidity, andsolar insolation. In some embodiments, a batch load time can be a timeduration corresponding to a nighttime environmental condition. Infurther embodiments, a batch load time can be a time durationcorresponding to a daytime environmental condition. In some embodiments,a batch release time can be a time duration corresponding to a daytimeenvironmental condition.

In various embodiments, current or expected variations in operatingparameters of the system (e.g. water produced, amount of heat carried byregeneration fluid, temperature of regeneration fluid, pressure of batchoutput conduit, relative humidity in batch output conduit, and so on)can be used to determine the extent of variations in the batch load timeand batch release time. In some embodiments, such as, for example, wherethe system comprises at least one sensors, method 1000 can furthercomprise an activity of sensing a signal received from at least one ofthe sensors. For example, maximizing the liquid water production ratecan comprise commencing the batch release time based on an amount ofheat carried by the regeneration fluid in the regeneration fluid pathway(e.g. based on a temperature of the regeneration fluid in theregeneration fluid pathway).

In some embodiments, activity 1016 can be performed continuously orsimultaneously with other activities of method 1000 or can be performedat predetermined intervals or as a result of changes in environmentalconditions and/or operating conditions.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 11 depicts a method 1100 to extractwater from air. Activities of method 1100 that are indicated by dashedlines can be optional in some embodiments. Activities of method 1100 canbe performed separately, sequentially or simultaneously. In someembodiments, method 1100 can be similar or identical to method 1000(FIG. 10). However, in some embodiments, method 1100 can differ frommethod 1000 (FIG. 10) as described below. Unless otherwise specified,activities shown in FIG. 11 assigned reference numbers having the samelast two digits as activities shown in FIG. 10 above can be similar oridentical to those activities shown in FIG. 10. In some embodiments,method 1100 can comprise a method of operating a system. The system canbe similar or identical to system 100 (FIG. 1), system 200 (FIG. 2),system 300 (FIG. 3), system 400 (FIG. 4), system 500 (FIG. 5), system800 (FIG. 8), and/or system 900 (FIG. 9).

In some embodiments, method 1100 can comprise activity 1106 a ofinputting ambient or process air to a first batch desiccant unit duringa first batch load time.

In some embodiments, method 1100 can comprise activity 1108 a ofinputting at least a portion of the regeneration fluid to the firstbatch desiccant unit during a first batch release time to heat desiccantmaterial in the first batch desiccant volume during a first batchrelease time.

In some embodiments, method 1100 can comprise activity 1110 a ofoutputting a first batch output fluid comprising water vapor from thefirst batch desiccant unit to a first batch output fluid conduit duringthe first batch release time.

In some embodiments, method 1100 can comprise activity 1106 b ofinputting ambient or process air to a second batch desiccant unit duringa second batch load time.

In some embodiments, method 1100 can comprise activity 1108 b ofinputting at least a portion of the regeneration fluid to the secondbatch desiccant unit during a second batch release time to heatdesiccant material in the second batch desiccant volume during a secondbatch release time.

In some embodiments, method 1100 can comprise activity 1110 b ofoutputting a second batch output fluid comprising water vapor from thesecond batch desiccant unit to a second batch output fluid conduitduring the second batch release time.

In some embodiments, performing activity 1116 of method 1100 cancomprise varying the first and second batch load times and the first andsecond batch release times of the batch desiccant units. For example,the second release time can be subsequent to the first release time. Inanother example, the first release time and the second release timeoccur in an alternating manner. As yet another example, the first andsecond release times can be time durations corresponding to a daytimeenvironmental condition.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplaryembodiment of a computer system 1200, all of which or a portion of whichcan be suitable for (i) implementing part or all of one or moreembodiments of the techniques, methods, and systems and/or (ii)implementing and/or operating part or all of one or more embodiments ofthe memory storage devices described herein. For example, in someembodiments, all or a portion of computer system 1200 can be suitablefor implementing part or all of one or more embodiments of thetechniques, methods, and/or systems described herein. Furthermore, oneor more elements of computer system 1200 (e.g., a refreshing monitor1206, a keyboard 1204, and/or a mouse 1210, etc.) also can beappropriate for implementing part or all of one or more embodiments ofthe techniques, methods, and/or systems described herein.

In many embodiments, computer system 1200 can comprise chassis 1202containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a Universal SerialBus (USB) port 1212, a hard drive 1214, and an optical disc drive 1216.Meanwhile, for example, optical disc drive 1216 can comprise a CompactDisc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), a Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive, or aBlu-ray drive. Still, in other embodiments, a different or separate oneof a chassis 1202 (and its internal components) can be suitable forimplementing part or all of one or more embodiments of the techniques,methods, and/or systems described herein.

Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 13 illustrates a representativeblock diagram of exemplary elements included on the circuit boardsinside chassis 1202 (FIG. 13). For example, a central processing unit(CPU) 1310 is coupled to a system bus 1314. In various embodiments, thearchitecture of CPU 1310 can be compliant with any of a variety ofcommercially distributed architecture families.

In many embodiments, system bus 1314 also is coupled to a memory storageunit 1308, where memory storage unit 1308 can comprise (i) non-volatilememory, such as, for example, read only memory (ROM) and/or (ii)volatile memory, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM). Thenon-volatile memory can be removable and/or non-removable non-volatilememory. Meanwhile, RAM can include dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM(SRAM), etc. Further, ROM can include mask-programmed ROM, programmableROM (PROM), one-time programmable ROM (OTP), erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM) (e.g., electrically alterable ROM (EAROM) and/or flash memory),etc. In these or other embodiments, memory storage unit 1308 cancomprise (i) non-transitory memory and/or (ii) transitory memory.

The memory storage device(s) of the various embodiments disclosed hereincan comprise memory storage unit 1308, an external memory storage drive(not shown), such as, for example, a USB-equipped electronic memorystorage drive coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port 1212 (FIGS. 12& 13), hard drive 1214 (FIGS. 12 & 13), optical disc drive 1216 (FIGS.12 & 13), a floppy disk drive (not shown), etc. As used herein,non-volatile and/or non-transitory memory storage device(s) refer to theportions of the memory storage device(s) that are non-volatile and/ornon-transitory memory.

In various examples, portions of the memory storage device(s) of thevarious embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions of the non-volatilememory storage device(s)) can be encoded with a boot code sequencesuitable for restoring computer system 1200 (FIG. 12) to a functionalstate after a system reset. In addition, portions of the memory storagedevice(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions ofthe non-volatile memory storage device(s)) can comprise microcode suchas a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible FirmwareInterface (UEFI) operable with computer system 1200 (FIG. 12). In thesame or different examples, portions of the memory storage device(s) ofthe various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions of thenon-volatile memory storage device(s)) can comprise an operating system,which can be a software program that manages the hardware and softwareresources of a computer and/or a computer network. Meanwhile, theoperating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example,controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing ofinstructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitatingnetworking, and managing files. Exemplary operating systems can comprise(i) Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS) by Microsoft Corp. ofRedmond, Wash., United States of America, (ii) Mac® OS by Apple Inc. ofCupertino, Calif., United States of America, (iii) UNIX® OS, and (iv)Linux® OS. Further exemplary operating systems can comprise (i) iOS™ byApple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States of America, (ii) theBlackberry® OS by Research In Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada,(iii) the Android™ OS developed by the Open Handset Alliance, or (iv)the Windows Mobile™ OS by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., UnitedStates of America. Further, as used herein, the term “computer network”can refer to a collection of computers and devices interconnected bycommunications channels that facilitate communications among users andallow users to share resources (e.g., an internet connection, anEthernet connection, etc.). The computers and devices can beinterconnected according to any conventional network topology (e.g.,bus, star, tree, linear, ring, mesh, etc.).

As used herein, the term “processor” means any type of computationalcircuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller,a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor,a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very longinstruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digitalsignal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuitcapable of performing the desired functions. In some examples, the oneor more processors of the various embodiments disclosed herein cancomprise CPU 1310.

In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 13, various I/O devices such as adisk controller 1304, a graphics adapter 1324, a video controller 1302,a keyboard adapter 1326, a mouse adapter 1306, a network adapter 1320,and other I/O devices 1322 can be coupled to system bus 1314. Keyboardadapter 1326 and mouse adapter 1306 are coupled to keyboard 1204 (FIGS.12 & 13) and mouse 1210 (FIGS. 12 & 13), respectively, of computersystem 1200 (FIG. 12). While graphics adapter 1324 and video controller1302 are indicated as distinct units in FIG. 13, video controller 1302can be integrated into graphics adapter 1324, or vice versa in otherembodiments. Video controller 1302 is suitable for refreshing monitor1206 (FIGS. 12 & 13) to display images on a screen 1208 (FIG. 12) ofcomputer system 1200 (FIG. 12). Disk controller 1304 can control harddrive 1214 (FIGS. 12 & 13), USB port 1212 (FIGS. 12 & 13), and CD-ROMdrive 1216 (FIGS. 12 & 13). In other embodiments, distinct units can beused to control each of these devices separately.

Network adapter 1320 can be suitable to connect computer system 1200(FIG. 12) to a computer network by wired communication (e.g., a wirednetwork adapter) and/or wireless communication (e.g., a wireless networkadapter). In some embodiments, network adapter 1320 can be plugged orcoupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 1200 (FIG.12). In other embodiments, network adapter 1320 can be built intocomputer system 1200 (FIG. 12). For example, network adapter 1320 can bebuilt into computer system 1200 (FIG. 12) by being integrated into themotherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or morededicated communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI(peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computersystem 1200 (FIG. 12) or USB port 1212 (FIG. 12).

Returning now to FIG. 12, although many other components of computersystem 1200 are not shown, such components and their interconnection arewell known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, furtherdetails concerning the construction and composition of computer system1200 and the circuit boards inside chassis 1202 are not discussedherein.

Meanwhile, when computer system 1200 is running, program instructions(e.g., computer instructions) stored on one or more of the memorystorage device(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein can beexecuted by CPU 1310 (FIG. 13). At least a portion of the programinstructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying outat least part of the techniques, methods, and activities of the methodsdescribed herein. In various embodiments, computer system 1200 can bereprogrammed with one or more systems, applications, and/or databases toconvert computer system 1200 from a general purpose computer to aspecial purpose computer.

Further, although computer system 1200 is illustrated as a desktopcomputer in FIG. 12, in many examples, system 1200 can have a differentform factor while still having functional elements similar to thosedescribed for computer system 1200. In some embodiments, computer system1200 can comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster orcollection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers.Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when thedemand on computer system 1200 exceeds the reasonable capability of asingle server or computer. In certain embodiments, computer system 1200can comprise an embedded system.

In many embodiments, part or all of one or more embodiments of thetechniques, methods, and systems can be implemented with hardware and/orsoftware. In some embodiments, at least part of the hardware and/orsoftware can be conventional, while in these or other embodiments, partor all of the hardware and/or software can be customized (e.g.,optimized) for implementing the part or all of the one or moreembodiments of the techniques, methods, and systems. When implemented insoftware (e.g., firmware), the part or all of the one or moreembodiments of the techniques, methods, and systems can be stored as oneor more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readablemedium. Examples include non-transitory computer-readable media encodedwith a data structure and non-transitory computer-readable media encodedwith a computer program. Non-transitory computer-readable media arephysical computer storage media. A physical storage medium can be anyavailable medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example,and not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable media cancomprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any otherphysical medium that can be used to store desired program code in theform of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by acomputer. Disk and disc includes compact discs (CD), laser discs,optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVD), floppy disks and Blu-raydiscs. Generally, disks reproduce data magnetically, and discs reproducedata optically. Combinations of the above are also be included withinthe scope of non-transitory computer-readable media. Moreover, thefunctions described above can be achieved through dedicated devicesrather than software, such as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSIcircuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logicchips, transistors, or other discrete components, all of which arenon-transitory. Additional examples include programmable hardwaredevices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable arraylogic, programmable logic devices or the like, all of which arenon-transitory. Still further examples include application specificintegrated circuits (ASIC) or very large scale integrated (VLSI)circuits. In fact, persons of ordinary skill in the art can utilize anynumber of suitable structures capable of executing logical operationsaccording to the described embodiments.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments isintended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and is notintended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the disclosureshall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. Forexample, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readilyapparent that any element of FIGS. 1-13 can be modified, and that theforegoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does notnecessarily represent a complete description of all possibleembodiments. For example, one or more of the activities of the methodsdescribed herein can include different activities and be performed bymany different elements, in many different orders. As another example,the elements within one or more of the systems described herein can beinterchanged or otherwise modified.

Generally, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutesreconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages,and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specificembodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and anyelement or elements that can cause any benefit, advantage, or solutionto occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed ascritical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all ofthe claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements arestated in such claim.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted toinclude, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such alimitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s)“means for” or “step for,” respectively.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system operable to extract water fromambient air, the system comprising: a regeneration fluid pathwayconfigured to receive a regeneration fluid; a thermal unit configured toreceive the regeneration fluid from the regeneration fluid pathway andto heat the regeneration fluid to a first temperature when theregeneration fluid is received in the thermal unit; a first continuousdesiccant unit comprising: an adsorption zone configured to receive theambient air, the ambient air being at an ambient temperature; and adesorption zone configured to receive the regeneration fluid from theregeneration fluid pathway; a first batch desiccant unit comprising: aregeneration inlet configured to receive at least a first portion of theregeneration fluid from the regeneration fluid pathway at a secondtemperature and during a first release time, the second temperaturebeing lower than the first temperature; and a batch desiccant housingdefining a batch desiccant volume, the batch desiccant housingcomprising: a batch desiccant inlet configured to input the ambient airto the batch desiccant volume during a first load time; a batchdesiccant outlet configured to output a batch output fluid from thebatch desiccant volume to a batch output fluid conduit during the firstrelease time; and a batch desiccant material retained within the batchdesiccant volume; and at least one condenser unit configured to produceliquid water from the regeneration fluid; wherein: the system isconfigured to maximize a water production rate of the at least onecondenser unit based on an amount of heat carried by the regenerationfluid in the regeneration pathway.
 2. The system according to claim 1,wherein the regeneration inlet of the first batch desiccant unit isconfigured to receive at least a second portion of the regenerationfluid, and wherein the at least a second portion comprises: regenerationfluid exiting the at least one condenser unit during the first releasetime; regeneration fluid exiting the thermal unit during the firstrelease time; or regeneration fluid exiting the desorption zone of thefirst continuous desiccant unit during the first release time.
 3. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the first continuous desiccant unithas a lower density than the batch desiccant material of the first batchdesiccant unit.
 4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:a controller comprising: a plurality of sensors; a plurality of motors;and a microcontroller coupled to the plurality of sensors and theplurality of motors, the microcontroller being configured to: determinea selected water production rate based on at least one signal receivedfrom at least one of the plurality of sensors; and maximize the waterproduction rate of the at least one condenser unit by adjusting a speedof at least one of the plurality of motors in response to the selectedwater production rate.
 5. The system according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a second continuous desiccant unit comprising: a secondadsorption zone configured to receive the regeneration fluid from theregeneration fluid pathway and from the at least one condenser unit; anda second desorption zone configured to receive the regeneration fluidfrom the regeneration fluid pathway and from the desorption zone of thefirst continuous desiccant unit.
 6. The system according to claim 5,wherein the regeneration inlet of the first batch desiccant unit isconfigured to receive at least a third portion of the regenerationfluid, and wherein the at least a third portion comprises regenerationfluid exiting the second adsorption zone of the second continuousdesiccant unit during the first release time or regeneration fluidexiting the second desorption zone of the second continuous desiccantunit during the first release time.
 7. The system according to claim 1,wherein the second temperature is less than 30 degrees Celsius greaterthan the ambient temperature.
 8. The system according to claim 1,wherein: the regeneration inlet is configured to receive theregeneration fluid; and a heat flow of the regeneration fluid when theregeneration inlet of the first batch desiccant unit receives theregeneration fluid is less than 500 Watts.
 9. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the regeneration fluid pathway is configured to receivethe batch output fluid output by the batch desiccant outlet from thebatch desiccant volume in advance of the at least one condenser unitduring the first release time.
 10. The system according to claim 1,wherein the at least one condenser unit is configured to at least oneof: receive the batch output fluid output by the batch desiccant outletfrom the batch desiccant volume during the first release time; andproduce the liquid water from the batch output fluid output by the batchdesiccant outlet from the batch desiccant volume.
 11. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the first load time comprises a first timeduration corresponding to a nighttime environmental condition and thefirst release time comprises a second time duration corresponding to adaytime environmental condition.
 12. The system according to claim 1,wherein the desiccant housing comprises a heat transfer surfaceconfigured to transfer heat from the regeneration fluid to the batchdesiccant material.
 13. The system according to claim 1, wherein thedesiccant housing comprises one or more openings configured to transferat least a second portion of the regeneration fluid from theregeneration fluid pathway into the batch desiccant volume.
 14. Thesystem according to claim 1, further comprising a vacuum pumpoperatively coupled to the batch desiccant volume, wherein the vacuumpump is configured to at least one of: establish a low pressurecondition in the batch output fluid conduit; and increase a partialpressure of water in the batch output fluid conduit during the firstrelease time.
 15. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: asecond batch desiccant unit comprising: a second regeneration inletconfigured to input at least a second portion of the regeneration fluidin the regeneration fluid pathway during a second release time; and asecond batch desiccant housing defining a second batch desiccant volume,the second batch desiccant housing comprising: a second batch desiccantinlet configured to input the ambient air to the second batch desiccantvolume during second load time; a second batch desiccant outletconfigured to output a second batch output fluid from the second batchdesiccant volume to a second batch output fluid conduit during thesecond release time; and a second batch desiccant material retainedwithin the second batch desiccant volume.
 16. The system according toclaim 15, wherein the first release time and the second release timeoccur in an alternating manner.
 17. The system according to claim 15,wherein the first release time and second release time comprise timedurations corresponding to a daytime environmental condition.
 18. Asystem operable to extract water from ambient air, the systemcomprising: a regeneration fluid pathway configured to receive aregeneration fluid; a thermal unit configured to receive theregeneration fluid from the regeneration fluid pathway and to heat theregeneration fluid when the regeneration fluid is received in thethermal unit; a continuous desiccant unit comprising: an adsorption zoneconfigured to receive the ambient air, the ambient air being at anambient temperature; and a desorption zone configured to receive theregeneration fluid from the regeneration fluid pathway; multiple batchdesiccant units, each of the multiple batch desiccant units comprising:a regeneration inlet configured to receive at least a portion of theregeneration fluid from the regeneration fluid pathway during a batchrelease time; and a batch desiccant housing defining a batch desiccantvolume, the batch desiccant housing comprising: a batch desiccant inletconfigured to input the ambient air to the batch desiccant volume duringa batch load time; a batch desiccant outlet configured to output a batchoutput fluid from the batch desiccant volume to a batch output fluidconduit during the batch release time; and a batch desiccant materialretained within the batch desiccant volume; and at least one condenserunit configured to produce liquid water from the regeneration fluid andthe batch output fluid; wherein: the system is configured to maximize awater production rate of the at least one condenser unit by varying thebatch load time and batch release time of the multiple batch desiccantunits.
 19. A method to extract water from ambient air, the methodcomprising: heating, by a thermal unit, a regeneration fluid; moving azone of a continuous desiccant unit between the ambient air and theregeneration fluid; inputting the ambient air to a first batch desiccantunit during a first batch load time; inputting at least a first portionof the regeneration fluid to the first batch desiccant unit during afirst batch release time; outputting a first batch output fluid from thefirst batch desiccant unit to a first batch output fluid conduit duringthe first batch release time; condensing, by at least one condenserunit, water vapor from the regeneration fluid and the first batch outputfluid conduit to produce liquid water from the regeneration fluid; andmaximizing a liquid water production rate of the at least one condenserunit.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein maximizing theliquid water production rate of the at least one condenser unitcomprises controlling a rate of moving the zone of the continuousdesiccant unit between the ambient air and the regeneration fluid. 21.The method according to claim 20, wherein controlling the rate of movingthe zone of the continuous desiccant unit between the ambient air andthe regeneration fluid comprises controlling the rate of moving the zoneof the continuous desiccant unit between the ambient air and theregeneration fluid based on at least one of an ambient air temperatureof the ambient air, ambient air relative humidity of the ambient air, ora level of solar insolation.
 22. The method according to claim 19,wherein the method further comprises receiving a signal generated by atleast one of a plurality of sensors.
 23. The method according to claim19, wherein maximizing the liquid water production rate of the at leastone condenser unit comprises maximizing the liquid water production rateof the at least one condenser unit based on an amount of heat carried bythe regeneration fluid.
 24. The method according to claim 19, whereinmaximizing the liquid water production rate of the at least onecondenser unit comprises varying the first batch load time and the firstbatch release time.
 25. The method according to claim 19, furthercomprising: inputting ambient air to a second batch desiccant unitduring a second batch load time; inputting at least a second portion ofthe regeneration fluid to the second batch desiccant unit during asecond batch release time; and outputting a second batch output fluidfrom the second batch desiccant unit to a second batch output fluidconduit during the second batch release time.
 26. The method accordingto claim 25, wherein the first batch release time and the second batchrelease time occur in an alternating manner.
 27. The method according toclaim 19, further comprising pumping a gas in the first batch outputconduit to form a low pressure condition in the first batch output fluidconduit.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein pumping the gasin the first batch output conduit to form the low pressure condition inthe first batch output fluid conduit occurs during the first batchrelease time.
 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein a pressurein the first batch output fluid conduit during the low pressurecondition is less than 1 atmosphere.
 30. The method according to claim29, further comprising detecting that a pressure of gases in the firstbatch output fluid conduit is below a predetermined minimum pressurevalue.
 31. The method according to claim 30, further comprisingtransitioning, in response to the detecting that the pressure of thegases in the first batch output fluid conduit is below the predeterminedminimum pressure value, from outputting the first batch output fluidfrom the first batch desiccant unit to the first batch output fluidconduit during the first batch release time to inputting the ambient airto the first batch desiccant unit during the first batch load time.